Sam - External Tibias - Dr. Salameh - 2010 - Sam's leg lengthening in Damascus

[tramp]

Hey MMTs

Sam is a young Salamehfix patient who is currently going through LL in Damascus and has asked me to start a diary.

tramp

[sam]

Hello . Iwant to thank you a lot Tramp its very kind what you have done for me because my experience iam sure might help many other people . But first i want to know if there is a special way i should fallow for when i want to post my diaries without having to enter your diaries
. Excuse the language my French is better than my English.

[tramp]

Hey Sam

This thread is your very own diary so you can post all your experieriences here, ask advice etc.

Good luck

tramp

[ashjay_jay]

                       Hey Sam,  Good Luck on your journey i am damn sure that you will be rocking on your journey.

                                  Stay Focused/Fully determined/Nothing can stop you.

[Houdini]

Best of luck, Sam!

You are in great hands with Dr. Salameh. Wishing you speedy lengthening and a taller, prouder, happier future.

Houdini

[sam]

Thank you all. So here we go.
I have ecchondroplesea witch is a bone desease that causes short stature with short bowed legs and short hands . It has other complications that i don't have. Thank you God. So it was mom who did all the job,the search for a good Dr.  for the operation mom was planing for me because  as i said before i am only 16.  She looked in many countries:Germany,US,Canada,Lebanon,Jordan. .  One of her friends working in the German ambassy gave her the telephone number of Dr. Sallameh. I was really scared of the idea of making that surgery. But when i met the Dr. i felt stronger and more confident. To tell the truth i just couldn't imagine those frames hanging on my legs and i wasn't really thinking about it . Brrrrrr it gives me the crips .
We finally decided to  make the surgery . the Dr.  took the size needed of the frames. I was trying not to think about what was going to happen after that . Mom told me that if i didn't want to make the operation it wasn't late,but NO i had taking my decision and wanted to go forward inspite of all my fears. So the date was decided 12 hours before the operation,10/10/2010,it was better this way so i wouldn't have to think and worry  much before it. 

[littleangel]

Hello,Sam.How tall are you?And how much you want to grow?

[blueturtle]

Hi Sam,

You are incredibly brave for approaching this surgery @ just 16 years of age.  Your journey will serve to inspire all prospective LL'ers.  Please do share your experiences.

[sam]

Hi,Iam 123 cm .The Dr.said that for that first surgery Iam going to gain 16 or a bit more.If i wish i'll do another operation,but its very early for me to decide now .
So i'll go on with my story.The night before my operation was a real nightmare I wasn't able to get any sleep neither my mom.We had to be at the hospital at 8 thirty.I don't remember how got there it was just a dream iwas trying not to think about anything.So we got there in time.By they I mean mom dad two of my brothers(i have four) grandma and my  twoaunts.their presence was a real comfort for me.My room was a spacious welcoming one .A nurse came in and took blood from my arm'my blood pressure and my temperature.My tears started .It was then that the Dr.Sallameh got into my room.I instantically felt more relaxed he was all smile and very kind with me.A very nice and gentel male nurse came into my room and rolled my bed to the operation area .Leaving my mom who was trying to smile behind me was very painfull.I was terrified.It was freezing inside me.I was crying in silent the nurse calmed me down and told me not to worry.But i was .the operation room was very net and clean I could see on the table the frame waiting for me.The sterilisation was obvious:every body was wearing special cover on their shoes and putting cover on their nose and mouth  and covering their head .The Dr. came in and told some joks to relax me.The nurse put a needle in my arm and injected me.I fell into deep sleep .I woke up 3 hours and a half later in my room .My legs hurted me like hell.They gave me a shot and i went bake to sleep.

[littleangel]

Sam,you are brave and strong.You can do anything that you put your mind to.Don't worry.It will get better with time.
Do you do 16 cm in one bone segment?Do you do femurs now or tibias?I know that one day you will be 150 cm tall,or close to that hight.You will have to do a second op. in time.And you will do it.You are very young now,you have all the time in the world.We have to worry about time,most of us are 30 years old or more...But you are young.Good for you.

[sam]

Thank you littleangel very nice words .Now Iam doing my tibias.Its almost 10 cm now. the Dr. is coming over tonight I did an x.ray today he is going to see it and change three of the rhodes .I might post some photos and X.rays latter but Iam not sure how to do it .
Now to go on with my diaries.When woke up some times latter i felt much better mom was there i was hungry and thirsty but i couldn't eat yet.So i fell asleep again 'about 5 hours after the oper my brother brought me some french fries and fried chicken althout i washungry but i couldn't eat much.I felt no pain but yet some strange feeling in my legs .The first night was painful ,and almost every hour a nurse would come in to check on me :take my temperature ,my blood pressure and ask me if i needed anything i said i wanted a painkiller and they injected me with sytamol .I felt better.The Dr. came and checked on me .Seeing him was a real reconfort for me .He told me that i was going to walk the next day,That realy scared me .During the night i forgot i had those frames and almost got up but the pain instantly woke me up .It was raining cats and dogs all night .I finally fell into deep sleep

[sam]

Day 2 :Breakfast was good.The Dr.came latter on that day and made me walk with a walker.I was very weak and could hardly move .My legs weighted like tonnes ,but to tell the truth walking the very next day of the operation was unbelivable .Before the operation i couldn't imagine my self walking with those frames on my legs .The Dr.helped me up and be on my feet.I felt realy dizzy so the Dr. rubbed my back and could breath better.I stood up all shaking and made my first step with the frames.I had to think for each move and make a lot of effort before each step.But it was ok.Mom was very proud.I felt no pain but got tired very quickly.That day we were able to control the pain by having painkiller ,and i had some fever .The second nightt was much better then the first  .
Day 3: I did some walking .Ididn't need any strong sedative'only a pile of sytamol.I went back home .All my familly was there waiting for me and that made me realy happy .First night at home wasn't so bad .Itook only one pile of sytamol.
Day 7: The night of the seventh day the Dr.came over to my place (it was very nice of him)and started the bowing correction It was a rather complicated procedure wicht mom and dad had to write down so they won't forget the steps they had to follow.In the begening i felt no great pain but as days went on it got worst espacily the midnight turn ,i  don't know why but it was the worst one .

[tramp]

Hey Sam

You show such a high level of inner strength for one so young.

I know your journey will be hugely successful.

Good luck

tramp

[TallManComing]

16? My goodness, Sam you are a brave woman. I wish you a successful journey.

[sam]

Hi Tramp welcome back. How was your trip home? Are you feeling better among your family?Did you get back to work?
Thank you tallmanComing .Well i started my journey a little earlier than some others.I might make another surgery latter so its never to early to begin.
The bowing correction was the hardest part ,and i had to do it 4 times daily .To make the pain less my mom did me some massage to my feet.But one day the pain became intolerable the Dr.told me to make an Xray and it appeared that the two ends of the thin bone of my tibia of my right leg were joined so the Dr. had to make an operation to break the bone once again.I was terrified i didn't want to get into the operation room again.The operation was simple with little pain and i came out of the hospital the same day.OUF.
From that moment the pain became less and less.A week later i woke up with pain beating my right leg.Two of the bottom pins were inflametted .I had to have antibiotic shots into the pin site .It was awfull .And we had to clean it twice daily with iodine .
After my second Xray the Dr. was pleased with it .It was like a miracle ,my legs were straight and so wonderfull .So we started lenghtening .It was a month and a half post the operation.
I will try and post some photos and Xray but i don't know how to do it .Anyone can help???
 

[sam]

I went to school .WAO .Amazing !!!!!! Isn't it?
But only 3 times and i didn't stay very long .The school provided me with a wheel chair and mom brought a wood board  and put it on the chair and i sat on it .This way my knees won't bow .Because as you all know seating for a long time with your legs hanging down isn't good for an LL patient .I did my exams It was great seeing my pals again .They were so happy to see me .Everybody was clapping and shoutting and kissing me .When i got in class they were having chemistry the class become a mess.Sorry teacher.....But the weather was very cold and i got sick.The same pins got inflamated again.I had to have 3 more shots.A real torture.And having more antibiotic and doing more cleaning .Iam still working on it .But no pain at all.The Dr.said that if i walk and exersise a lot i won't have pain .And this is what iam doing.
I exersise twice a day .My mom takes real care of my exersising and my diet too .She's always on the internet looking for something new and good for me .You Tramp and Plus3 helped a lot .Thanks again.

[Legolas]

I wish you nothing but the best, sam. Heck, I may very be in Syria early next month, following the footsteps of Houdini, Tramp, and Plus3. I'm 100% committed to Dr. Salameh now. I'm just getting my affairs in order before heading over . . .

Legolas in Syria is fast-becoming a reality.

Are you taking calcium, magnesium, vitamin D supplements? Are you doubling or tripling your protein intake with like whey protein powder shakes or power bars? Or are you getting your nourishment from food intake alone?

[teewoods]

16? My goodness, Sam you are a brave woman[.  I wish you a successful journey.

Correction - 'girl' but with the mental fortitude surpassed by only a few adults.

[sam]

Wish you best of luck Legolas.But why are you coming to Syria ?What operation are you going to have?
As for the vitamins ,I have just started taking vitamins Bcomplex(B1,B2,B6,B12 ,Biotin,Calcium pantothenate,Nicotinamed) and Omega 3,an effervessant V C.and from time to time Magnesium.Yesterday the Dr. told me to take One alpha ,but i didn't find it yet .I am not having any protein now because i waited to ask the Dr. if it was OK for my age to have it and he said yes .So iam starting now.My vitamin source was only from food (eggs,full milk,red and white meat,fruits..)


Thanks teewoods,very kind.

 

[Houdini]

Sam,

You are with the best doctor in the world for your particular needs. Dr. Salameh has vast experience correcting problems caused by diseases like yours. He originally developed and manufactured his own fixators precisely for patients like you (and for those with even more complex issues) because there was nothing on the market that provided the flexibility and options to get the job done like he wanted. It is truly fortunate that someone put your mom in contact with Dr. S. As you have learned first hand, his  comforting, caring, and cheerful manner is an important part of the total package, something that can't be learned or faked.

We all salute your bravery and fortitude to undertake this life-changing procedure. There is no doubt it will all have been worth the temporary challenges. I predict you will want the second operation after you see how much the first one enriches your life. Even if not, you should be proud of what you and Dr. S are doing together. Thank your mom for all of us!

Best wishes,

Houdini

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8.0-8.5 cm tibiae lengthening
Dr. Salameh, in Frankfurt, Germany
Presently 5 months into consolidation-recovery phase